RU2710427C2 - Receiving container of pipette tips, as well as method for preparation thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: physical or chemical processes.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to receiving container (1) for pipette tips, which includes receiving box (3) and cover (4), which closes receiving opening (12) of receiving box (3) in its closed position. Cover (4) has standardized bearing surface and is made in form of adapter for receiving box (3). On cover (4) there is positioning device (25) with several positioning elements (26). Receiving box (3) rests with its bottom (7) on cover (4) and is oriented by means of positioning elements (26) relative to support surface specified by cover (4), being located in positioning position for automatic treatment of samples. Invention also relates to preparation of receiving container (1) for pipette tips. Cover of receiving container serves as adapter for support and accurate positioning of receiving box, which allows observing and performing standardized dimensions and allows to refuse additional thrust means as positioning stops.

EFFECT: container can be manufactured simply and economically with low consumption of material and can be used both for manual and for automatic processing of samples.

18 cl, 8 dwg

Description

The invention relates to a pipette tip receiving container for receiving a plurality of pipette tips as described in claim 1. However, the invention also relates to a method for preparing a pipette tip receiving container for receiving a plurality of pipette tips, as described in claim 16.

From US 6,221,317 B1 it became known the type-appropriate device for preparing pipette tips, in which the main body has a standardized supporting surface with a given length size and oriented at right angles to it and a given width size. To achieve a standardized supporting surface, the main body is made in its outer peripheral region with a predominantly double-walled wall structure, and here the outer double parts of the walls form a standardized supporting surface. Inside the main body, the jumpers extending to its open upper side and crossing each other are located, forming depressions located between them with a given raster. A support plate with the holes located therein and serving to receive pipette tips is supported on these jumpers. The number, as well as the raster arrangement of the holes in the carrier plate, is selected depending on the size and number of pipette tips received on the carrier plate, as well as on the established norm (SBS standard). The raster arrangement of the jumpers in the main body makes it possible to use different carrier plates in relation to the number of pipette tips received, as well as their location on the carrier plate. Thus, the same main body with a standardized supporting surface can in any case be used to prepare pipette tips. For this, only the supporting plate corresponding to the current application should be used in order to achieve the positioning of the pipette tips necessary for automatic sample processing using the main body. The main body of the preparation device can still be closed with a put-on cover on its upper side. When the body cover is suitably worn, respectively, several identical preparation devices can also be stacked on top of each other. To do this, on the upper side of the lid, as well as on the lower side of the main body, respectively, interacting geometric closure structures are provided.

The document US 2014/0234182 A1, as well as the resulting WO 2014/130679 A1, describes a receiving container for pipette tips for receiving a plurality of pipette tips. The receiving container of the pipette tips includes a receiving box with a bottom and side walls extending from the bottom. The side walls, at least in places, limit the receiving opening, and also define the receiving space together with the bottom. Further, the receiving container of the pipette tips includes a lid with a wall of the lid and side walls of the lid protruding from the wall of the lid, the side walls of the lid determining together with the wall of the lid the inner space of the lid. In the receiving box, in the area of its receiving hole, there is a base with receiving holes located therein for aligned receiving of pipette tips. Next, the receiving box is made in the area of its side walls with a single layer. In the closed position of the lid, it closes the receiving opening of the receiving box, and the lid is removably fixed to the receiving box. The receiving box has on its outer side, as well as in the area of its bottom support elements that protrude in the direction away from the receiving space. The supporting elements serve to form a standardized supporting surface (imprint) for the receiving box. Additionally, in the region of the side walls, as well as the supporting elements, ribs can be arranged which protrude in a direction facing away from the receiving space and are connected to the side wall and also to the supporting element. The disadvantage is that, due to the additional support elements for each receiving box, an increased consumption of material is required during manufacture, and in addition to this, when handled manually, the receiving box can also be even more difficult to take with your hands.

The basis of this invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a universally applicable receiving container for pipette tips, which can be manufactured simply and economically with a low consumption of raw material and used both for manual processing of samples and for automatic processing of samples. However, on top of this, receiving boxes constructed structurally identical must also, even up to their configuration, be able to be transported and stored, taking up little space.

This objective of the invention is solved due to the fact that

- the lid in its outer peripheral region, at least in places, defines a support surface (imprint) with a length dimension of 127.76 mm ± 0.25, which is standardized in accordance with the SLAS 1-2004 (R2012) standard of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) mm and oriented at right angles to it in width with a value of 85.48 mm ± 0.25 mm,

- a positioning device is provided on the lid with several positioning elements distributed, in particular along the perimeter of the lid,

- the cover, when removed from the receptacle box, is in a free position, forms an adapter for the receptacle box, and

- the receiving box in the removed free position of the lid rests its bottom on the cover removed from the receiving box to form the position of the adapter, and in this position of the adapter, the receiving box is oriented with the help of positioning elements relative to the reference surface (fingerprint) set by the cover, being placed in the positioning position for automatic sample processing.

The advantage achieved as a result of this is that the receiving box can thus be manufactured in a simple, material-saving, and also easy-to-grip version when handled manually. At the same time, the cover of the receiving container of the pipette tips serves as an adapter for supporting and accurately positioning the receiving box for automatic processing of samples, and the receiving box can be made in its dimensions, in particular in the area of its bottom, regardless of the sizes standardized for automatic processing of samples and, nonetheless, used for both types of sample processing. As a result of this, a substantial amount or mass of material, in particular plastic, can be saved when the receiving box is constructed. In addition, the receiving box can also be manufactured using simpler molding tools. However, due to the lower material consumption, manufacturing can also be carried out with shorter exhaust strokes, as a result of which savings can also be achieved. On top of this, the lid can thus in its form simply adapt to the standardized dimensions of the abutment surface. Thus, the side walls of the lid in the area of the wall of the lid in its outer peripheral region can be performed almost rectilinearly and with a flat surface. Additional persistent means or the like can thus be discarded in order to comply with and comply with standardized dimensions as positioning stops.

Further, thereby the lid is precisely executed and aligned with the dimensions set in accordance with the norm. Due to the establishment and observance of standardized dimensions, the lid must therefore only conform to standardized dimensions in its external dimensions, and the receiving box can be made simpler and with a more economical material consumption. Advantageously, the side walls of the lid can thus be made rectilinear or with a flat surface without additional protrusions or the like for exact adherence to a standardized abutment surface.

A further embodiment provides that the positioning device is located or is made in the inner space of the lid, as well as in the region of its wall of the lid. Thus, the inner space of the lid can be used to receive and support the receiving box. Further, this can also be achieved with a low required area in the position of the adapter, since the side walls of the lid protrude from the wall of the lid on the sides of the receiving box.

Further, it may be preferable if the positioning device is located or is made on the wall of the lid, as well as on its side facing away from the inner space of the lid. Thus, the lid can perform a dual function. On the one hand, an adapter for the receiving box can be made through it, and on the other hand, it can also simultaneously form positioning elements for stacking several receiving containers of pipette tips.

Another embodiment is characterized in that the receiving box in its positioning position rests directly on the wall of the lid. As a result, the receiving box can, with only a slight additional excess relative to its own structural height, be fed to the automatic processing of samples or the extraction of pipette tips. However, in addition to this, the stability of the receiving box in the lid can also be improved, and inadvertent tipping can be prevented.

A further possible embodiment has the features that the receiving box, respectively, in the transition regions between the side walls located one after another in the circumferential direction, relies on them, as well as on the positioning elements facing the bottom of the peripheral region. As a result, individual positioning elements can be performed in the area of the interior of the lid with a relatively small protrusion above the wall of the lid and, despite this, sufficient and reliable positioning relative to each other can be achieved.

A further embodiment provides that at least two positioning elements are provided on the lid, in particular on its lid wall, for each of the transition regions of the receiving box. Thereby, the receiving box can be precisely positioned in the lid in each of its corner or transition regions between the individual side walls. Owing to this multiplicity of positioning elements, the receiving box can thus be better guided and then guided with precise positioning and held in this position already almost during the insertion process into the interior of the lid.

Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that when the receiving box is in the positioning position, it is centered with respect to the bearing surface (imprint) defined by the lid. Thus, the receiving box without prior mutual alignment can simply and independently of the relative position of the cover be inserted into the interior of the cover.

It may further be preferable if the lid is pivotally mounted on at least one rotary device. As a result, for manual sampling, the lid can simply be tilted so as to enable access to pipette tips that are tucked or placed in the receiving container of pipette tips. However, in addition to this, an interconnected structural unit is also formed from the receiving box and the lid.

Another alternative implementation is characterized in that the receiving box is made in the area of its side walls with a single layer. Owing to the single-layer receiving box thus configured, at least in the region of the side walls, large material savings can therefore be achieved. However, in addition to this, simpler tools for creating a receiving box can thus also be used.

A further possible and, under certain circumstances, alternative embodiment has the following features: the side walls of the receiving box, when viewed in axial section, are respectively conically narrowed from the receiving hole towards the bottom, and that the receiving box has a size of cross-sectional light, which is made larger than the external cross-sectional dimension of the receiving box in the bottom area. Thus, a fundamental possibility can be created of stacking receiving boxes of the same design up to connecting or mounting the lid into each other, taking up little space in the stack. By selecting the appropriate width of the receiving opening, it can thus be established what height of the stack of stacked similarly receiving boxes can be achieved. The greater the difference in cross-sectional dimensions, the deeper and more compact the several receiving boxes can be stacked in each other and thus cost less during transportation and storage.

Another embodiment is characterized in that at least one first stacking means is located or formed on the receiving box in the area of its receiving space, and another, structurally identical receiving box can be inserted into the receiving space and supported by at least one first stacking tool. Due to the mutual limitation of the stops, mutual jamming of the receiving boxes during stacking can be prevented.

Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that the bottom of the receiving box forms at least some additional stacking means. As a result of this, with the lowest complexity, conditions can be created for stacking several structurally identical receiving boxes that are stacked into each other.

Further execution provides that in the receiving box in the area of its receiving hole is located or made base with located in it centering sockets for aligned receiving tips of pipettes. As a result, it is possible to prepare pipette tips with appropriate precise alignment inside the receiving container of pipette tips.

Another embodiment is characterized in that the lid in its closed position is held in a locked position on the receiving box with at least one locking device, and at least one locking device includes a first locking element on the lid and on the receiving the box interacts with the second locking element. Thanks to the locking elements being interlocked with each other, the cover can be inadvertently prevented from opening. Thereby, safe storage of pipette tips can be achieved.

Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that the first locking element arranged on the lid, in particular on at least one of its side walls of the lid, is made in the form of a tongue and rotatably connected to the lid, and that when the receiving box is in the positioning position the first locking element is wrapped in the inner space of the lid and is adjacent to the side wall of the receiving box located immediately adjacent. Due to the execution of the locking element in the form of a tongue, it can perform several functions. In the normal operating position, the first locking element serves to keep the lid in its closed position locked on the receiving box. In a further application, the first locking element serves in addition to being wrapped in an intermediate space formed between the side walls of the receiving box and the side walls of the lid. Due to this inward rotation and protrusion into the intermediate space, a pressing force can thus be delivered to the receiving box due to the effect of the return of the locking element in the form of a tongue. Further, parts on the lid protruding on the sides beyond the outer perimeter of the lid can be prevented, which, if the samples were processed automatically, could interfere or even impede.

Another embodiment is characterized in that when the receiving box is in the positioning position, the side walls of the receiving box located directly next to each other and the side walls of the lid are oriented when viewed in the circumferential direction, respectively, essentially parallel to each other. Consequently, a simple optical control may be provided to the user so that it is thus possible to simply control the exact positioning of the receiving box in the lid.

However, regardless of the above, the objective of the invention can also be solved by a method of preparing a receiving container of pipette tips for receiving a plurality of pipette tips according to the features specified in paragraph 16 of the claims. The advantages obtained from the combination of features of this claim are that the receiving box can thus be manufactured in a simple, material-saving, as well as easy-to-grip, hand-held design. In this case, the cover of the receiving container of the pipette tips serves as an adapter for receiving and accurately positioning the receiving box for automatic sample processing, and the receiving box can be made in its dimensions, in particular in the area of its bottom, regardless of the sizes standardized for automatic processing of samples and, nonetheless, used for both types of sample processing. As a result of this, a substantial amount or mass of material, in particular plastic, can be saved when the receiving box is constructed. In addition, the receiving box can also be manufactured using simpler molding tools. However, due to the lower material consumption, manufacturing can also be carried out with shorter exhaust strokes, as a result of which savings can also be achieved.

A further preferred procedure is characterized in that the receiving box in its positioning position in the lid is oriented in the center relative to the support surface (imprint) defined by the lid. Thus, the receiving box without prior mutual alignment can simply and independently of the relative position of the cover be inserted into the interior of the cover.

Finally, a method variant is also preferred in which the receiving box in its positioning position in the lid is additionally loaded with a mounting force directed approximately parallel to the wall of the lid acting on at least one of its side walls, and the receiving box is pressed in the direction of action of the mounting force to at least some of the positioning elements. Thus, the first locking element in its wrapped position in the intermediate space formed between the side walls of the receiving box and the side walls of the lid can exert a directed pressing force on the receiving box and then on the positioning elements located on the opposite side.

For a better understanding of the invention, it is explained in more detail using the following drawing.

In the drawing, respectively, in a very simplified schematic image shows:

FIG. 1 - receiving container of pipette tips in the closed position of the lid on the receiving box, in the image in perspective;

FIG. 2 - receiving container of pipette tips according to FIG. 1, however, in the free position of the cover, in the image in perspective;

FIG. 3 shows a receiving container for pipette tips according to FIG. 1 and 2, however, with the cover removed from the receiving box and the positioning position of the receiving box inserted in the cover, in the perspective view;

FIG. 4 - the cover of the receiving container of the pipette tips on the view of its inner space, with the indicated contour of the receiving box;

FIG. 5 is a fragment of the lid and the receiving box inserted into it in the region of the positioning device, in a side view in section along the line V-V in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is another fragment of the lid and the receiving box inserted into it with a locking element abutting against the side wall of the receiving box, in a side view in section along the line VI-VI in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a fragment of structurally identical receiving boxes, in a stacked position in each other, in a sectional side view; and

FIG. 8 is a fragment of a further possible arrangement of the receiving box and the lid as an adapter, in a sectional side view.

As an introduction, it should be noted that in the embodiments described in different ways, the same elements are provided with the same reference numbers or the same part designations, and the disclosures contained in the entire description of the disclosure can be transferred to the same elements with the same reference position or the same part designations. Also, the indications of position selected in the description, such as, for example, above, below, on the sides, etc., refer to the figure directly described as well as represented, and these indications of position should, when changing position, be transferred to the new position in meaning.

The term "in particular" is understood hereinafter in such a way that it may be a possible, more specific implementation or a more detailed refinement of the subject or step of the method, however, this term does not have to represent an urgent preferred embodiment of the subject or procedure.

In FIG. 1 through 7 show a receiving container 1 of pipette tips for receiving a plurality of pipette tips 2, which includes a receiving box 3, a cover 4 and a base 5 with centering slots 6 for pipette tips 2 located or made therein. The relative position of the plurality of centering sockets 6 is in most cases standardized. The longitudinal and transverse distances between the central axes of the centering sockets 6 are preferably 9.00 mm, respectively, and these longitudinal and transverse distances must also be selected in accordance with the relevant norm. The centering slots 6 are used for oriented reception of pipette tips 2, as is well known with similar receiving containers 1 pipette tips.

The receiving box 3 includes, on its part, the bottom 7, as well as the side walls 8 to 11 extending from the bottom, respectively. The side walls 8 to 11 at least partially define a receiving hole 12 at their ends remote from the bottom 7 and are defined together with bottom 7 receiving space 13.

The lid 4 includes, in this embodiment, the lid wall 14, as well as the side walls 15 of the lid protruding from it in its circumferential region. The side walls 15 to 18 of the cover determine, together with the wall 14 of the cover, the inner space 19 of the cover. On the upper side or the outer side of the lid 4, on its outer perimeter, respectively, in the corner regions, positioning aids are arranged which serve to hold the bottom of a preferably structurally identical receiving box 3 to hold the stacked pipette tips 1 of the closed pipette tips from stacking against each other to stack. Positioning aids are not provided here around the entire perimeter of the cover 4, but only in the corner regions.

In the depicted in FIG. 1, the cover 4 closes the receiving hole 12 of the receiving box 3. In addition, the cover 4 is removably fixed to the receiving box 3. This can be done either by means of a clean fit, the side walls 15 to 18 of the cover being at least in places with the outer the sides overlap the side walls 8 to 11 of the receiving box 3. In the same embodiment, it is shown that the cover 4 is installed with the possibility of at least one rotary device 20 to rotate on the receiving box 3. For this, in the two narrower or shorter side walls 10, 11 are respectively arranged, in particular rotary spikes 21 are made integrally with them. On the lid 4, in particular on the shorter side walls 17 and 18 of the lid, respectively, there is also a rotary the eye 22, which is best seen in the images of FIG. 1 to 3. The pivoting eye or pivoting eyes 22 is made / executed in such a way that, on the one hand, the cover 4 can be tilted around the pivot pin or pivoting studs 21, and on the other hand, the lid 4 can be removed due to the elastic deformation of the pivoting eye or pivoting eyes 22 from the pivot pin 21 or pivot pins 21. The removal and further use of the cover 4 is described in more detail below.

As can now be better seen in the images of FIG. 3 to 5, the cover 4 is made in the form of an adapter for the receiving box 3. By the adapter here it is understood that the cover 4 in its outer peripheral region defines at least in some places a standardized supporting surface with a length of 23 in length and oriented at right angles to 24 in width. A standardized abutment surface may also be referred to as a so-called “imprint”. In a variety of laboratories, standardized dimensions of the supporting surface have been introduced for automatic sample processing, so that with the help of automatically working installations it is possible to receive and process the receiving containers of 1 pipette tips of various types of designs available on the market from various manufacturers. By automatic sample processing, here, in general, it is understood that the pipette tips 2 are brought in the installation to a precisely set position and remain in it to automatically extract individual or several pipette tips 2 in a positioned position or position. Since the tips 2 of the pipettes are placed in the receiving box 3 with a given raster size, the receiving box 3 must be brought into a precisely set position. In this embodiment, the cover 4 now serves to form, on the one hand, a support surface standardized for positioning, and on the other hand, to be able to receive the receiving box 3 with such positioning that the pipette tips 2 are located relative to the standardized support surface for this.

In order to be able to provide a mutually positioned orientation of the receiving box 3 in the lid 4, a positioning device 25 is provided in the region of the wall 14 of the lid 4. The positioning device 25 may, for its part, include several spaced apart, in particular along the perimeter of the lid 4, positioning elements 26. In this exemplary embodiment, the positioning elements 26 are aligned with or interact with the outer peripheral edge of the bottom 7 or side walls 8 through 11.

However, regardless of this, it would also be possible to provide on the cover wall 14 on its side facing the bottom 7 positioning position several positioning elements 26 that protrude from the cover wall 14 and, accordingly, engage with a centering hole located or made on the bottom 7 in positioning position. This embodiment is simplified in the bottom region of FIG. 5 dashed lines.

If the cover 4 is used as an adapter for the receiving box 3, then the cover 4 should be transferred from the receiving box 3 to the free position. In this way, it becomes possible to lower (put) the receiving box 3 with its bottom 7 on the cover 4. In this embodiment, the receiving box 3 should be inserted into the interior space 19 of the cover 4. This may also indicate the acceptance position of the receiving box 3 in the cover 4. Thanks the provision of the positioning elements 26, the receiving box 3 is oriented relative to the predetermined cover 4 of the supporting surface (imprint), being placed in the so-called positioning position for automatic processing of samples. This means that it is not the receiving box 3 that defines or sets the standardized supporting surface, and the lid 4 serves as the adapter for the receiving box 3.

This makes it possible to carry out the receiving box 3 with the appropriate requirements and dimensions, regardless of the standardized supporting surface. In this case, a standardized supporting surface for the receiving container 1 of pipette tips is formed for the receiving box 3 only in combination with the lid 4 as an adapter.

The dimensions or dimensions of a standardized supporting surface (imprint) are set, for example, by the "American National Standards Institute (ANSI)" in the norm SLAS 1-2004 (R2012).

According to this norm for setting the dimensions of a standardized supporting surface (imprint), the length 23 is 127.76 mm ± 0.25 mm in length. The size 24 in width has for its part a value of 85.48 mm ± 0.25 mm.

If the receiving box 3 is in its positioning position, for example, inside the cover 4, then it can lean directly on the wall 14 of the cover. Thus, the bottom 7 of the receiving box 3 can lie directly on the inner side of the wall 14 of the cover.

The side walls 8 to 11 located directly behind each other directly in the circumferential direction form respectively transitional regions 27 or angular regions. In this exemplary embodiment, the transition regions 27 protrude in the angular regions formed by the side walls 8 of 11, respectively, to the outside. The receiving box 3, respectively, in its transition regions 27, as well as in their peripheral region facing the bottom 7, is at least partially supported by the positioning elements 26. Preferably, two or more are provided on or in the lid 4 for each of the transition regions 27 of the receiving box 3 positioning element 26. Thereby, each of the transition regions 27 — that is, the receiving box 3 — can be uniquely positioned in each of its corner regions between the side walls 8 to 11. The positioning elements 26 are made preferably in the form of jumpers or ribs. The positioning elements 26, respectively coordinated with one transition region 27 or an angular region, are oriented relative to each other at an angle of 90 °.

If the receiving box 3 is in its positioning position in the cover 4, then the side walls 8 to 11 of the receiving box 3 and the side walls 15 to 18 of the cover 4, respectively directly adjacent to each other, are oriented when viewed in the circumferential direction, essentially parallel to each other .

In the positioning position of the receiving box 3, it is centered with respect to the bearing surface 4 defined by the cover 4. By "centered" here it is understood that in the positioning position the center of the receiving box 3 is congruent with the center of the lid 4. With the corresponding arrangement and orientation of the centering sockets 6 in the base 5, thereby also the pipette tips 2 are oriented and located in an unambiguous position relative to a given reference surface .

Further, in this embodiment, it is shown that the receiving box 3, at least in the region of its side walls 8 to 11, is made single-layer. As a result, you can do with less material.

To support the base 5 in the area of the receiving opening 12 of the receiving box 3, partial sections of the side walls 8 to 11 can be shifted inward towards the receiving space 13. Due to this displacement inward, a simple embodiment of the receiving box 3 can thus be achieved by injection molding, and despite this, the protruding inwardly partial portions of the side walls 8 to 11 can form a support or an abutment for the base 5.

Further, the side walls 8 through 11 of the receiving box 3, when viewed in axial section, can be made respectively with a conical narrowing from the receiving hole 12 towards the bottom 7. Thus, not only can the removal of the receiving box 3 from the mold be facilitated, but also with appropriate selection and dimensions of the conical narrowing can create conditions for stacking each other made structurally identical to the receiving boxes 3. For this, the light size of the cross section of the receiving box 3 in the area of its receiving hole I 12 to be performed larger than the outer cross-sectional dimension receiving box 3 in the bottom area 7. Consequently, it becomes possible that the formed structurally identical to receiving box 3 can be stacked into each other stack, as can be seen in the image of FIG. 7.

In order to be able to set a predetermined stacking degree and thus the size of the structurally identical receiving boxes 3 entering into each other, at least one first stacking means 28 can be located or made on the receiving box 3 in the region of its receiving space 13. This at least one first stacking means 28 can be supported by a further, structurally identical receiving box 3. In this embodiment, for example, the bottom 7 of the receiving box 3 can form at least some further stacking means 29.

As can now be better seen in FIG. 1, the cover 4 in its closed position can be held in a locked position on the receiving box 3 with at least one locking device 30. The at least one locking device 30 shown here may include a first locking element on the cover 4 31 and on the receiving box 3 interacting with the second locking element 32.

In FIG. 1 shows the initially undeformed position of the first locking element 31, with both locking elements 31, 32 being in the still or locked position which are not yet engaged with each other. In this embodiment, it is shown that the first locking element 31 is made in the form of a tongue and in the area of attachment to the lid 4 has a recess or a through hole for receiving the second locking element 32. Thus, the first locking element 31 can engage with the second locking element with its recess 32. Further, at least one first locking element 31 is rotatably connected to the cover 4. As a result, it becomes possible, as shown in FIG. 6, that with the receiving box 3 in the positioning position, the first locking element 31 is wrapped in the lid interior 19 and protrudes in the direction of the lid wall 14. In this position, in this case, the first locking element 31 is adjacent to the receiving box 3, which is located immediately adjacent to the side wall 8 to 11 thereof. The undeformed initial position of the first locking element 31 is shown by dashed lines, and the deformed position is shown by solid lines.

By wrapping the first locking element 31 in the form of a tongue 31 inside, the receiving box 3 can additionally be loaded in the positioning position in the cover 4 with a mounting force directed approximately parallel to the cover wall 14, which acts on the side wall 8 of 11 of the receiving box 3 correspondingly facing it. Due to the created installation force, the receiving box 3 is pressed in its direction of action to at least some of the positioning elements 26 respectively governmental opposite side. Thereby, an additional holding or fixing action between the receiving box 3 and the lid 4 in its positioning position can be achieved.

A method for preparing a receiving container 1 of pipette tips may include, as briefly described below, the following steps. Separate pipette tips 2 are made with a variety of sizes, and accordingly, the same type of pipette tips 2 are placed on the above bases 5. In most cases, several bases 5 with corresponding pipette tips 2 are grouped in a consumption stack and are provided in the consumption block depending on the quantity and size.

The receiving container 1 of the pipette tips now serves to receive one of the bases 5 in the region of its receiving opening 12 of the receiving box 3 and hold there with positioning. For the preparation of receiving containers 1 pipette tips, various options are acceptable. So, for example, only a receiving box 3 with a lid 4 fixed on it could, however, be delivered to the consumer or user without the base 5 placed in it and thereby also without pipette tips 2. If necessary, he can then remove the base 5 from one of the consumption units together with the pipette tips 2 fixed on it and insert it into the open receiving box 3.

However, it would also be possible that the receiving container 1 of the pipette tips, together with the base 5 placed therein and the pipette tips 2 fixed therein, be delivered to the consumer or user.

Depending on the use and application, individual or many of the pipette tips 2 can be removed either manually or during the automatic extraction process with the pipette not shown with the cover open 4. So in this embodiment, the receiving box 3 serves, in principle, so that the base 5 together with the pipette tips located or received on it, take 2 pipettes with positioning for extraction. If the pipette tips 2 are completely removed from the base 5, then the emptied base 5 is removed from the receiving box 3, and a new base 5 equipped with pipette tips 2 can again be inserted into the receiving hole 12 of the receiving box 3.

Thus, the receiving container 1 of the pipette tips includes in its main form a receiving box 3, as well as a lid 4 removably fixed on it. Preferably, the receiving box 3 and the lid 4 are manufactured separately from each other and can be brought into assembled or connected position for delivery . The base 5 with pipette tips 2 may already be installed, or it may be inserted later. In this so-called closed position of the cover 4, it closes the receiving hole 12 of the receiving box 3.

For manual handling or removal of the pipette tips 2, the cover 4 must be sufficiently opened or removed from the receiving box 3, so that conditions are created for unhindered access to the individual pipette tips 2.

In this case, for automatic extraction of the pipette tips 2 or automatic sample processing, it is provided that the lid 4 not only forms a locking element for the receiving box 3, but also additionally serves as an adapter for the receiving box 3. To do this, as described above, in the inner space 19 of the lid in the region of its wall 14 of the lid and / or on the side of the wall 14 of the lid facing away from the inner space 19 of the lid, a positioning device 25 with several, distributed preferably around the perimeter of the cover 4, the positioning elements 26. On top of this, the cover 4 is performed in its outer peripheral region, at least in places with a standardized supporting surface, and the standardized supporting surface is determined by the length 23 and the size oriented at right angles to it 24 in width.

To form the position of the cover adapter 4 for the receiving box 3, the cover 4 must be removed from the receiving box 3. Subsequently, the receiving box 3 rests with its bottom 7 on the cover 4. For this, the receiving box 3 can either be inserted into the inner space 19 of the cover 4 or put on the side of the cover wall 14 facing away from the inner space 19 of the lid. Using the above-described positioning elements 26, the receiving box 3 is now oriented relative to the defined bearing surface cover 4, being furthermore placed in the exact positioning position. Thus, the lid 4 forms, in a position relative to one another for the receiving box 3, an adapter for automatically processing samples or extracting some of the pipette tips 2. However, regardless of this, the filled pipette tips 2 could also be inserted into the base 5.

In FIG. 8 shows a further and, if necessary, essentially independent embodiment of the receiving container 1 of pipette tips, again using the same reference numbers or the same part designations for the same elements as in the preceding FIG. 1 to 7. In order to prevent unnecessary repetitions, reference is made or given to the detailed description in the preceding FIGS. from 1 to 7.

Since this embodiment is a possible alternative to that arrangement, which is already described in more detail in FIG. 5, only the differences from it are now described in more detail here.

The lid 4 is also made here in the form of an adapter for the receiving box 3. The positioning device 25, in contrast to the embodiment described above, is located or made not in the region of the inner space 19 of the lid, but on the side of the wall 14 of the lid facing away from the inner space 19 of the lid. Thus, the open side of the cover 4 — that is, the side walls 15 to 18 of the cover — serves as a supporting surface in the positioned position of the adapter. Thus, the cover 4, at least in this area should be made in size with a standardized supporting surface, as described above.

The positioning elements 26 may be formed by a corresponding embodiment of the lid wall 14 itself and / or by means of one or more ribs or jumpers. In this embodiment, the positioning elements 26 could also simultaneously serve as auxiliary leveling or stacking means for stacking several stacked receiving containers 1 of pipette tips. For the formation of a stack of several stacked receiving containers 1 of the pipette tips, it was already known, for example, to allow a small protrusion of the outer peripheral edge of the lid 4 over the lid wall 14, however, due to large tolerances, accurate positioning relative to each other was impossible. In addition, the cover also does not have a standardized bearing surface.

Further, however, it would also be still possible to simultaneously execute or arrange on the lid 4 and described above in FIG. 1 to 6, the positioning device 25 in the region of the inner space 19 of the lid, and described here in FIG. 8, the positioning of the positioning device 25. Thus, an even more universal application of the cover 4 can be achieved.

The embodiments show possible embodiments, as well as examples of the use of the receiving container 1 of the pipette tips, and at this point it should be noted that the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in particular, but rather various combinations of the individual embodiments with each other are also possible, and this the possibility of variation is due to the technical instruction of the present invention in the skill of a specialist in this field of technology.

The scope of protection is defined by the claims. However, the description and drawing should be used to interpret the claims. The individual features or combinations of features from the various embodiments shown and described may be substantially independent inventive solutions. The task underlying independent inventive solutions may be taken from the description.

All indications of ranges of values in the present description should be understood in such a way that they simultaneously include arbitrary and all of their partial ranges, for example, indication 1 to 10 should be understood in such a way that all partial ranges starting from lower boundary 1 and upper boundary 10 are included in it, that is, all partial ranges begin with a lower boundary of 1 or higher and end with an upper boundary of 10 or lower, for example, 1 by 1.7 or 3.2 by 8.1 or 5.5 by 10.

For the sake of order, in conclusion, it should be pointed out that for a better understanding of the structure of the receiving container 1 of the pipette tips, these or its constituent elements were partially depicted not to scale and / or with increase and / or decrease.

LIST OF REFERENCE POSITIONS

1 receiving container for pipette tips

2 pipette tip

3 receiving box

4 cover

5 base

6 centering socket

7 bottom

8 side wall

9 side wall

10 side wall

11 side wall

12 inlet

13 receiving space

14 cover wall

15 side wall cover

16 side wall cover

17 side wall cover

18 side wall cover

19 interior cover

20 rotary device

21 swivel spike

22 swivel eye

23 size in length

24 width

25 positioning device

26 positioning element

27 transition area

28 first stacker

29 additional stacking tool

30 locking device

31 first locking element

32 second locking element.

Claims (35)

1. A receiving container (1) of pipette tips for receiving a plurality of pipette tips (2), including a receiving box (3) with a bottom (7) and lateral walls (8-11) extending from the bottom (7), the side walls (8-11) at least partially restricting the receiving opening (12), and together with bottom (7) determine the receiving space (13); a lid (4) with a wall (14) of the lid and with side walls (15-18) of the lid protruding from the wall of the lid (14), the side walls (15-18) of the lid together with the wall (14) of the lid define the inner space (19) covers; moreover, the cover (4) in its closed position closes the receiving hole (12) of the receiving box (3) and is removably fixed to the receiving box (3), characterized in that the cover (4) in its outer peripheral region defines at least some places a standardized surface according to SLAS 1-2004 (R2012) of the American National Institute of Standards (ANSI) with a size (23) in length with a value of 127.76 mm ± 0 , 25 mm and oriented at a right angle to it with a size (24) in width with a value of 85.48 mm ± 0.25 mm, on the lid (4) a positioning device (25) is provided with several positioning elements (26) distributed with a distribution, in particular along the perimeter of the lid (4), the cover (4), when removed from the receiving box (3), forms an adapter for the receiving box (3), and the receiving box (3) in the removed free position of the cover (4) rests with its bottom (7) on the cover (4) removed from the receiving box (3) to form the position of the adapter, and in this position of the adapter the receiving box (3) is oriented using positioning elements (26) relative to a given cover (4) of the supporting surface, being placed in a positioning position for automatic processing of samples. 2. A receiving container (1) of pipette tips according to claim 1, characterized in that the positioning device (25) is located or is made in the inner space (19) of the lid (4), as well as in the region of its wall (14) of the lid. 3. A receiving container (1) of pipette tips according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the positioning device (25) is located or is made on the wall (14) of the lid, as well as on its side facing away from the inner space (19) of the lid. 4. A receiving container (1) of pipette tips according to any one of paragraphs. 1-3, characterized in that the receiving box (3) in its positioning position is based directly on the wall (14) of the cover. 5. A receiving container (1) of pipette tips according to any one of paragraphs. 1-4, characterized in that the receiving box (3), respectively, in the transition regions (27) between the side walls (8-11) located adjacent to each other in a circumferential direction, is supported on them, as well as in their peripheral facing the bottom (7) areas on positioning elements (26). 6. A receiving container (1) of pipette tips according to claim 5, characterized in that on the cover (4), in particular on its cover wall (14), for each of the transition regions (27) of the receiving box (3) there are two positioning element (26). 7. A receiving container (1) of pipette tips according to any one of paragraphs. 1-6, characterized in that when the receiving box (3) is in the positioning position, it is centered with respect to the bearing surface defined by the cover (4). 8. The receiving container (1) of the pipette tips according to any one of paragraphs. 1-7, characterized in that the cover (4) using at least one rotary device (20) is mounted with the possibility of rotation on the receiving box (3). 9. A receiving container (1) of pipette tips according to any one of paragraphs. 1-8, characterized in that the receiving box (3) is made in the area of its side walls (8 - 11) single-layer. 10. A receiving container (1) of pipette tips according to any one of paragraphs. 1-9, characterized in that the side walls (8-11) of the receiving box (3), when viewed in axial section, are respectively made with a conical narrowing from the receiving hole (12) towards the bottom (7), and the receiving box ( 3) in the region of its inlet opening (12) has a clear cross-sectional dimension larger than the external cross-sectional dimension of the inlet box (3) in the bottom region (7). 11. A receiving container (1) of pipette tips according to any one of paragraphs. 1-10, characterized in that at least one first stacking means (28) is located or made on the receiving box (3) in the region of its receiving space (13), and another, receiving box (3) made structurally identical to inserted into the receiving space (13) and rely on at least one first stacking means (28). 12. A receiving container (1) of pipette tips according to claim 11, characterized in that the bottom (7) of the receiving box (3) forms at least some additional stacking means (29). 13. A receiving container (1) of pipette tips according to any one of paragraphs. 1-12, characterized in that in the receiving box (3) in the area of its receiving hole (12) is located or made the base (5) with the centering sockets (6) located therein for aligned receiving tips (2) of pipettes. 14. A receiving container (1) of pipette tips according to any one of paragraphs. 1-13, characterized in that the lid (4) in its closed position is held in a locked position on the receiving box (3) using at least one locking device (30), and at least one locking device ( 30) includes on the lid (4) a first locking element (31) and on a receiving box (3) a second locking element (32) interacting with it. 15. A receiving container (1) of pipette tips according to 14, characterized in that the first locking element (31) located on the lid (4), in particular on at least one of its side walls (15-18) of the lid made in the form of a tongue and rotatably connected to the cover (4), and with the receiving box (3) in the positioning position, the first locking element (31) is wrapped in the inner space (19) of the cover and is adjacent to the side wall located directly adjacent to it (8) -11) receiving box (3). 16. A method of preparing a receiving container (1) of pipette tips for receiving a plurality of pipette tips (2), wherein - perform a receiving box (3) with a bottom (7) and lateral walls (8 - 11) emerging from the bottom (7), with the receiving hole (12) at least partially confining the side walls (8 - 11), and together with the bottom (7), the receiving space (13) is determined; - perform the lid (4) with the wall (14) of the lid and with the side walls (15 - 18) of the lid protruding from the wall (14) of the lid, the inner space being determined together with the side wall (14) of the lid ( 19) covers; and - in the closed position of the cover (4), it closes the receiving hole (12) of the receiving box (3), and the cover (4) is removably fixed to the receiving box (3), and the cover (4) after being removed from the receiving box (3) can be translated in a free position; characterized in that the cover (4) in its outer peripheral region is at least partially made with a support surface standardized in accordance with SLAS 1-2004 (R2012) of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and a standardized support surface is determined by the size (23) in length with the value 127.76 mm ± 0.25 mm and a dimension (24) oriented at right angles to it with a width of 85.48 mm ± 0.25 mm, on the lid (4) provide a positioning device (25) with several, distributed, in particular along the perimeter of the lid (4), positioning elements (26), the cover (4) is removed from the receiving box (3) and transferred to its free position, and then the receiving box (3) rests with its bottom (7) on the cover (4), and an adapter is formed by means of the cover (4) to form a position adapter for the receiving box (3), the receiving box (3) is oriented by means of positioning elements (26) with respect to a given bearing surface (4), being placed in the adapter position, and in the position of the adapter, the cover (4), at least in the positioned position for the receiving box (3), a positioning position is formed for automatic processing of the samples. 17. The method according to p. 16, characterized in that the receiving box (3) in its positioning position on the cover (4) is oriented in the center relative to the specified bearing cover (4). 18. The method according to p. 16 or 17, characterized in that the receiving box (3) in its positioning position in the lid (4) is additionally loaded directed approximately parallel to the wall (14) of the lid installation force acting at least one from its side walls (8 - 11), and the receiving box (3) in the direction of action of the installation force is pressed by it to at least some of the positioning elements (26).

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